Automatic regulator



w. 1.. HAMILTON June 26,1928. 7 1,674,720

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR Original Filed May 12. 1 22 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Inventor:

WalterLHamiltbn.

His Attorney.

June 26, 1928. 1,674,720 v w. L. HAMILTON T AUTOMATIC REGULATOR OriginalFiled May 12. 1922' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: Walter- LHami Iton,

34 H isAttorneyl -Patented .lune 26, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER I4. HAMILTON, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO'GENERALELEC- TRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR.

Original application filed May 12, 1922, Serial No. 560,399. Divid d andthis application filed June 5,

1924, Serial No. 717,976. Renewed NovemberM, 1927.

' This application is a division of application, Serial No. 560,399,filed May 12, 1922, entitled W'eighing machine.

In my prior application referred to, I have described and claimed aweighing ma chine provided with means for automatically recording theweight of the article or commodity being weighed, the machine beingprefer-ably arranged to continuously weigh a definite quantity of amoving substance as it is produced or manufactured, for example, adefinite length of sheet paper as it comes from the paper mill. In saidapplication I have also described means wherey the weighing maticregulating furctions in such a way as to maintain uniform the commoditybeing weighed, and it is this aspect of my invention which is claimed inthe present application.

In continuous manufacturing processes, it is often important thatfrequent'sampling or testing of the product be made in order to 'beassured that it conforms to a given standard. In many such processes, aconvenient and reliable method of accomplishing this sampling is toweigh a definite portion of the product at frequent intervals. Thus inthe manufacture of paper, it is of prime 3o importance in order toobtain a product of uniform thickness that the weight of the paper bedetermined at frequent intervals in order that any deviation from thecorrect thickness be quickly detected and corrected.

The manufacture of paper, like many other continuous manufacturingprocesses, is carried on day and .night. The industry in general ishandicapped by the lack of suitable apparatus for maintaining a constantweight of material and thus the provision of automatic devices forperforming these functions will be of material benefit in decreasing thecost of manufacture and increasing the quality of the product.

While I haveparticularly mentioned the paper manufacturing industry, andwill illustrate my invention in connection therewith, I do not intend tolimit my invention to this particular field as it will be evident .tothose skilled in the art that the broadprinciples thereof are applicableto manu facturing processes in general. Thus in the claims appendedhereto, I will particularly machine may perform auto'-' ;any Variationin its fluence the scale beam and weighm point out the features of'myinvention which are believed to be novel and patentable and I willillustrate practical applications thereof by means of the followingdescription taken in connection with the acrompanying drawings in whichFigs. 1 and 2 illustrate preferred embodiments of my automatic weighingand recording machine as used to control, in Fig. 1, the speed of apaper mill and in Fig. 2, the quantity of pulp used in a paper mill;Fig. 3 shows how the automatic weighing machine may be used in acontinuous liquid manufacturing process; and Fig. 4 shows theapplication of the weighing machine as used to continuously weigh adefinite quantity of a granular substance.

Referring now to the drawings, and. in partlcular to Fig. 1, where Ihave disclosed I an arrangement for continuously weighing.

a definite length of shcet fabric, for example, paper, as it is producedby the mill, together with automatic weight recording means and meansfor automatically controlling the speed of the paper mill. In thisfigure, 1 representsa scale beam pivoted at 2 near its center in astationary bracket 3. One end of this beam carries an adjustable weight39, and the other end supports by means of a hinged rod 29, a framework27 adapted to support adefinite length of the paper as it comes from themill. For this purpose I have shown a pair of spaced rollers 30 and 81secured to the framework 27-adjacent the pivpt point 28 and a roller 32secured near the opposite end of the framework over which the papersheet, 33 is continuously passed when the mill is in operation. Tosecure .a good mechanical construction, the spaced rollers 30 and 31 maybe provided with gears 34 and 35 meshing with a gear 36 rotatablymounted con centric with the pivot point28. By this arrangement, thepaper maybe continuously drawn through the rolls in the followingmanner: The paper isfed to roll 30 from an idler roller 37, thence toroller 32, back again to roller 31 and then out to a winding roller, notshown. Thus'a definite length of the paper is supported by the frameworkand weight is made to in mechanism. The framework is prefera ly providedwith a counterweight 38 for adjusting pur oses.

T e weight imposed upon the scale beam 1 by the framework and papersupported thereby is arranged to be] counterbalanced by'the slidingweight 39 which is secured to nut 6 through the hinged rod 8 Theposition of nut 6 and weight 39 is controlled by a motor 9. The nut 6 isthreaded on the shaft 7 which is provided with a pulley 8'. The pulley8' is driven from motor 9through the gearing represented at 10, thepulley 11 and the belt 12. The motor is shown as the reversible seriestype provided with two field windings 13 and 14. One side of thearmature is connected to ground at 15 and the other side is connectedbetween the field windings. The other terminals of the field windingsare arranged to-be connected to the positive side of the line throughmotor reversing contacts controlled by the scale beam 1. Thus the fieldwinding 13 is connected to stationary contact 16 through lead 17, fieldwinding 14 is connected to stationary contact 18 through lead 19, and amovable contact 20 mountedon the scale beam and electrically connectedto the positive side'of the line is arranged to play between thesestationary contacts to close the motor circuit for one direction ofrotation when the weight on framework 27 predominates to close thecircuit for the opposite direction of rotation when weight 39predominates and to keep the motor circuit open when the scale, beam isbalanced. When the motor circuit is closed by the unbalancingof thescale beam, its direction of rotation is such as .to move nut 6 andweight 39 in the direction to bring the scale beam back to a balancedposition at which time the motor switch is opened and the movementstopped. It will thus be evident that if a sample of paper of givenwidth is passed over the framework 27 and the proper adjustments aremade, the paper will be automatically weighed and the position which nut6 assumes after a balance, is reached may serve as an indication of theweight of the paper. 7

In the present illustration, instead of attaching indicating meansdirectly to nut 6, I provide a similar worm and nut device fo iperformin this function which is operated b the pu ey 11. Pulley 11 issecured to a sli aft 21 which has a portion of its length threaded andcarries thereon a nut. 22. This nut carries a pointer 24which terminatesI y in a st lus cooperating with the record sheet 25. e record sheet isarranged to be advanced at a constant rate over a roller 26 by mechanismnot shown in a well understood manner. When motor 9 is operated, nuts 6and 22 will move along their respective worm shafts in one direction orthe other, depending upon the direction of unbalancing of beam 1 and inso doing, w1ll move weight 39 and stylus 24 until ar'balanced conditionis reac ed. The stylus 24 will thus be caused to move over the recordsheet at right angles to the direction of movement of the latter and inso doing,

will draw a line thereon in a well understood manner. The record sheetis calibrated transversely in percentage weights of the paper sample orother material and lengthbalance. In the present illustration the nuts 6and 22 are arranged to move in the same direction along their respectiveshafts for a given direction of rotation of motor 9.

The curve obtained by the continuous weighing machine follows thevariation in weight of the paper passing over the frame work 27 so thata visible indication and a continuous record of the weight, and hencethe thickness of the paper being produced is obtained, This featureprovides a com rehensive and complete record of the qua ity of paperproduced and the performance ofthe paper making machine. As eachcomplete roll of paper is finished, it can be given a number andcorresponding number noted on the record sheet. Then the manufacturerhas only to glance at the record sheet to ascertain the nature of thepaper in any particular roll as regards its thickness. He can see at aglance whether it is good or bad, as well as how much and whatparticular portion of the roll is bad. The length of the record sheetsalso, gives an approximate indication of the length of the paper in theroll. Another valuable feature of the continuous weighing machine isthat the paper need never be cut to obtain a sample. I l

In the manufacture of paper, the most important consideration affectingthe thick-,

matic means controlled in accordance withthe position of nut 22 forregulating the speed of the paper mill so that its product is maintaineduniform and of the correct thickness,

I have diagrammatically illustrated at 40 the rolls of a paper machine.In this instance, I have represented the various rolls as being drivenby individual electric motors 41 supplied in parallel from a'commongenerator 42. The generator field 43 is supplied from an exciter 44..Adjustable resistances 45 and 46 are included in shunt to each other.

in the circuit of the exciter field which is designated at 47. Theresistance 45 is manual-.

1y adjustable and the resistance 46 is arranged to be adjustedautomatically in accordance with the weight of the paper being producedby the paper machine. In the present illustration 1 have shown theautomatic.

mechanism as consisting of a motor 48 having opposing fields 49 and 50,arranged similar to the motor shown at 9, and contacts 51 and 52arranged to be separately energized by the contact 53 carried by .thenut 22. The contact 53 slides on a long stationary contact 54 which isconnected to the positive side of the line. \Vhen the weight of thepaper is correct, the contact 53 stands in the position illustrated outof contact with both the contacts 51 and 52. Should the paper decreasein weight, the motor will be energized through field'coil 49 andcontacts 51, 53 and 54. The motor operates the means for adjusting theresistance 46 and in the present modification I have representedv ausual form of motor operated rheostat.designated in general by thenumeral 55 for this purpose. When the motor is energized a through fieldcoil 49, it will operate in theproper direction to cut resistance intothe exciter field circuit which will lower the current in the generatorfield and thus lower the voltage and speed of the motors 41. When thepaper is over weight, the contact 53' will move to the right andenergize the motor 48 through field coil 50 and contacts 52, 53 and 54,thereby cutting resistance out of the'exciter'field circuit, causing anincrease in the speed of the paper machine. By properly chine isoperating without paper and when adjustments for difl'erent weights ofpaper are being made. a

I will now briefly review the complete operation of the apparatus ofFig. 1. With the.

' that of Fig. 1.

machine in operation and a paper ofthe correct weight passing throughthe rolls, weight 38 will be adjusted until stylus 24 is on the 100%line of the record sheet when the scale beam is balanced. The remainderofthe record sheetwill be properly calibrated with the instrument. Theresistances 45 and 46 will be so adusted that when the nut 22 andcontact 53- are in this position, the machine, runing under normalconditions, of speed, feed,

, etc., will produce paper of the correct weight! Now, let us assumethat the weight of the paper passing through the machine decreases.

The right hand end of scale beam 1 will be depressed, thereby closingthe circuit of motor. 9 through contacts 18 and 20, line 19 and fieldcoil 14. The motor starts in the proper direction 'to move weight 39toward pivot 2 and nut 22 to the left. This will continue until thescale beam is balanced, at which time the operation just described willstop. The stylus 24 has in the meantime drawn a record of the decreasein weight of the paper on the continuously moving record sheet 25 and ifthe decrease in weight is suflicient. contact 53 will have moved to theleft and energize motor 48 in'the proper direction to decrease thecurrent flowing through the exciter field causing the motors 41 to slowdown. The paper machine will thus be sheet Forming process. In Fig.2 Ihave illustrated my weighing machine used for automatically controllingthe flow of the to the paper machine in accordance pulp wit 1 the'weightof the paper being produced. 7

Such automatic controlling means may be used in conjunction with thespeed control means of Fig. 1 or in conjunction with a aper machinewhich has automatic means or maintaining its speed constant. In Fig. 2the feed pulp pipe to the paper machine is represented at 57. This pipecontains a valvej58 which is adapted to be controlled in the same manneras the rheostat 55 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 the motor 48 is connected to thevalve stem 59 by the worm gear 60. The pipe 57 instead of being the mainfeed pipe may constitute an auxiliary pipe in parallel with the mainfeed pipe. When the weight of the paper passing throu h the weighingmachine is low, contact 53-w1ll cause the motor 48 to be energized inthe=proper directibn to open valve 58 slowly and .when the paper isabove the proper weight, valve 58 will be closed slowly. In otherrespects, the opera- .tion of the apparatus of Fig. is similar toThe-details of construction and the pur- I might provide a framework ofhollow tubes and pass a liquid through the same, the inlet and outletbeing on the axis of the pivot point 28 as indicated in Fig. 3. Such amodification would" be useful in the continuous pounds, acids, molasses,etc. Again, I might provide the framework with acontinuously moving beltupon which a definite volume of a granular substance is continuouslydeposited at one end and dumped ofi at the other as indicated in Fig. 4.In such cases, the various parts of the apparatus would be arranged tosuit the conditions and the record sheet would be calibrated in theproper units. The automatic control of the mill or other apparatus maybe changed to suit the conditions. Thus, if the weighing machine were tobe used with liquid compound producing apparatus, the automatic controlmight vary the percentages of the various elements going to make up thecompound, for example by valves controlled in accordance with theposiLion ofthe nut 22 as illustrated in Fig. 2. In the production ofmolasses, or other evaporating processes, the position of thenut 22might control the degree of heat to which the liquid is subjected.

hese and other modifications and uses will occur to those skilled in theart, and I intend to cover in the claims appended hereto allmodifications and uses which fall within the true scope of my invention.1

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the prinin the weight thereof, and means'controlled inresponse to changes in the weight of the sheet fabric being produced forregulating saiif apparatus in a manner to change the thickness of thesheet fabric produced thereby.-

2. In combination apparatus for continuously producing sheet fabric, aWei hing machine through which the finished abric is passed ,fordetecting variations in the 7 weight thereof, and means controlled bysaid weighing machine in response to deviations cordance with in amanner to correct the weight of the fabric being produced by changingitsthick- DESS- 3. In combination apparatus for continuously producing acontinuous article of manufacture, a weighing machine through which saidarticle is continuously passed as it is produced for detectingvariations in its Weight, recording means controlled by said weighingmachine for continuously recording the weight of the article, and meanscontrolled bysaid Weighing machine for regulating the apparatus in amanner to cause the article to conform to a substantially constantweight.

4. In combination a. machine for producing continuous sheets of fabric,apparatus for causing the fabric to conform to a substantially standardthickness'comprising a machine for continuously weighing a constantwidth and length of the fabric as it is produced, and means controlledby said.

weig ing machine for regulating said producing machine.

5. In combinations. machine for producing continuous sheets of fabric,apparatus for; automatically causing, the fabric thus produced toconform to a substantially con stant thickness comprising a device forcontinuously detecting minute variations in the,

thickness of the fabric as it is produced by continuously weighing saidfabric, and means-controlled by said measuring device for regulating thespeed of said producing machine. 1

6. The method of controlling the operation of a machine for producing auniform product which consists in continuously weighing the product asit is delivered from the machine and adjusting the speed of the machinein accordance with the indications of the weighing machine. v

7.- The method of controlling the operation of a machine for producing auniform product which consists in continuously and automaticallyweighing the product as it is. delivered from the machine andautomatically adjusting the speed of the machine in aeing machine. Inwitness whereof,"- I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of May,1924.

WALTER L. HAMILTON.

e indications of the weigh

